The National Unity Platform (NUP)’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) on Tuesday, May 6, held a special session to shape the party’s internal preparations ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The high-level meeting, which stretched over several hours, was chaired by NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu and attended by key figures including Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, party spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi, chairperson of the Women’s League Flavia Kalule, Vice President for Buganda Muwanga Kivumbi, and Vice President for Northern Uganda Lina Zedriga, among other top leaders.
One of the landmark decisions from the CEC was the approval of a new Election Management Committee — a key organ tasked with overseeing the party’s internal electoral processes.
The outgoing committee, whose term has come to an end, was lauded for its contributions over the past years.
“We want to appreciate the outgoing election management committee for the great, great job well done,” Rubongoya said while unveiling the new committee members.
“They did a good job, but their time is now up. We thank them, and now we have to welcome the new members.”
The newly appointed committee includes:
- Alex Rovans Rwanyaga, Technical Advisor
- John Mary Ssebufu, Member in charge of Buganda
- Freddie Egesa Achoka, Representative for Eastern Uganda
- Patrick Laum, Representative for Northern Uganda
- Julian Kabagambe, Representative for Western Uganda
- Salim Sulutan, Publicity Secretary
- Jonathan Eloto, Legal Advisor
- Eddy Kayabula, Committee Secretary
Former Makerere University Guild President Ivan Ssempijja was named Vice Chairperson, while Harriet Chemtai was elected as the new chairperson.
Chemtai, who has been serving as NUP’s mobiliser for the Sebei sub-region, used her acceptance speech to push back against persistent claims that NUP is a Buganda-centric party.
“We are going to wait for those who say that NUP is for Buganda. I am from Sebei,” she said.
“The NUP you knew from 2021 is different from the one existing now. You are going to see the difference.”
Beyond personnel appointments, the CEC also approved the party’s elections roadmap and guidelines that will guide NUP’s activities in the lead-up to the 2026 elections.
However, details of the roadmap and guidelines have not yet been made public.